Act II, Scene I Summary

Ill watches through his window as townspeople bring flowers to adorn the coffin Claire has set up as a visual reminder of her offer. Scared, he tries to organize a family meal, but his son and daughter make excuses to leave. A man enters the shop asking for cigarettes more expensive than usual and asks to charge it to his account. Next, a pair of women come into the shop and provoke Ill's curiosity by also ordering goods more expensive than they usually do. A third man comes in and orders very expensive liquor. In every case, the people ask for their purchases to be charged to their accounts. The eunuch twins pass by his window carrying the fishing implements of Claire's now ex-husband, who apparently has taken legal possession of his tobacco farms. Claire talks from...